Please Help Me Figure Out How To Unclog My Epson Printer
Decorating By butternut Updated 11 Aug 2008 , 2:29am by missyek
OK, so my Epson Stylus CX4800 that I use for edible images has a clog that just doesn't seem to want to clear up. Please, if you have any idea of how to unclog this thing, let me know. It had been a while since I used it and I guess that is why it got this problem. I've done the maintenance and tried to clear it but all it did was use up all of my edible ink and the last test I did, still showed that it needed a cleaning. Now the edible ink is too low to attempt any more cleanings. (I cleaned it 3 times already) I did talk to someone at Kopykake and was told to replace my edible ink cartridges with the original ones that came with the printer and try to clear it up that way. I was told that it would not affect the printer being used for edible images. Something about it not coming into contact or something. I obviously don't understand the workings of the printer but I'm not going to put any regular ink in this thing. I'm just not comfortable with that at all. Any suggestions that anyone may have would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks soooo much!!
OK, so my Epson Stylus CX4800 that I use for edible images has a clog that just doesn't seem to want to clear up. Please, if you have any idea of how to unclog this thing, let me know. It had been a while since I used it and I guess that is why it got this problem. I've done the maintenance and tried to clear it but all it did was use up all of my edible ink and the last test I did, still showed that it needed a cleaning. Now the edible ink is too low to attempt any more cleanings. (I cleaned it 3 times already) I did talk to someone at Kopykake and was told to replace my edible ink cartridges with the original ones that came with the printer and try to clear it up that way. I was told that it would not affect the printer being used for edible images. Something about it not coming into contact or something. I obviously don't understand the workings of the printer but I'm not going to put any regular ink in this thing. I'm just not comfortable with that at all. Any suggestions that anyone may have would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks soooo much!!
The people at kopykake are fantastic and have helped me in very many jams. You can run the regular inks through it to help clear it up, but I understand your reservations completely--I'm the same way. 
Unfortunately with the Epsons, the print head is not removable like the Cannons which made it a bit easier to unclog it. I did have my Epson dry up once because of not using it for a long period of time. Pretty much, you will go through a LOT of ink to clear it up. I had refill bottles on hand, so it was easier for me--I think I had to fill the cartridges a couple of times--big waste of ink, but it did clear it up and I did not have to go find a new printer. You just really have to keep running that Head clean cycle until it flows through. You can also make sure that your cartridges are no clogged where they connect into the printer--just tap them on some paper towels to make sure the ink flows through. I think that time I spent a whole afternoon doing it, but it eventually came around. Once you get it cleared, it does help to just run it every couple of weeks--you don't have to waste edible paper either--I just use plain paper to do all my tests. Just run the normal Print Test Page feature from the printer settings every couple of weeks to keep the inks flowing.
Sorry I could not give you a "magic" solution. But, what you were doing and what Kopykake suggested are the right paths to go on. Good luck!
Hi Missy. Thank you so very much for your help. I appreciate it more than you know. I so wish that I had realized that I should run it every couple of weeks. Guess I should have known. If I ever get the clog taken care of you can bet I'll take your advice to run the test page every couple of weeks. Thanks so much for that tidbit. Yes, I love Rudy at Kopykake. Every time I have a question I will email and then he calls me back. Talk about great customer service. I know in my heart that he wouldn't give me the wrong advice about using the original ink to try to clear the clog but I just can't understand how or why it doesn't touch any part of the printer that your edible ink would go through. Did that make sense 
I just can't do it... Did you order your refill edible ink from Kopykake? I guess I could go that route to try to unclog it. It just kills me to waste all that ink... Also, do you have a chip resetter? I'm thinking I should get one if I get this printer going again. I'm going to take my cartridges out and take a good look at them also to make sure that's not the problem. Again, thanks so much for your help.
You are more than welcome! Yup, I got the refills from kopykake (or Pfeil and Holing--don't remeber that place I ordered inks from... 
) But they really do come handy in a pinch. Also, do you have the chip resetter? You can get that from KK for $15 and that is a big lifesaver as well. Epson printers are notorious for saying the cartridges are empty when you still have lots of ink left in them--and it won't let you print until you put in a new cartridge or reset it. I use mine for both my Epsom edible printer and my normal Epson printer. Good luck!
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